Apparatus for washing coal and ore



Aug. 23, 1927;

G. w. WILMOT APPARATUS FOR WASHING-COAL AND ORE Filed May. 1o, 1922 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 23, 1927,

\G. w. WILMOT APPARATUS FOR WASHING COAL AND ORE Filed May 10, 1922 3 SheetsSheet 2 j ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

GEORGE W. WILMOT, OF HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILMOT ENGI- NEERING COMPANY, OF .HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF 'PENN- SYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR WASHING GOAL Ann can.

- Application filed lilay 10,

My invention relates to apparatus designed primarily for use "in the washing of coal, but is also Well adapted for use in the washing of ores of various and different kinds. More specifically stated, the invention relates to an apparatus of a continuously operating type in which the mixture of coal and slate and other material to be eliminated or of ore and dirt and other material to be eliminated from the ore mixture is caused to travel in the form of a column, preferably of small depth or thickness as compared with its width, across a constantly flowing stream of fluid, preferably water. l

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novelconstruction of apparatus which is eflicient inoperation and which is particularly well adapted for use in the washing of coal of all commercial sizes.

A further object of the invention is to' provide a novel construction of means for conveying the mixture of coal and slate and other matter or a mixture of ore with matter to be removed therefrom, in the form of a column as above indicated, through a body of water and simultaneously causing a portion of the said water to flow as a stream through and transversely of the said column. The coal, for instance, eing of less specific gravity than the slate, dirt or other impurity mixed therewith, it follows that its movement through the said body of water is aflected by the said stream to a greater extent than the heavier material consisting of the impurities, such as slate, so that a separation is brought about. The coal is lifted or carried upwardly or out of the mixture and is ultimately discharged from the appa-' ratus separate from the slate and other material from which it is desired to separate the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the detailed description thereofwhich follows or will be apparent from such description.

For the purpose offacilitating an understanding of the invention and in order that its practical advantages may be better appreciated, reference should be had. to the accompanying drawin s in which certain forms of mechanical em odiment thereof are shown. However, it will be understood that changes in the details of construction may- 1922. Serial No. 559,793.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the apparatus showing more clearly a detail of construction;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view showing another modified construction of the apparatus; I

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7 and the said apparatus.

Referring to the" drawings: 1 designates a tank which is adapted to hold the water which is employed in the washing of the coal or other material. The bottom of the tank is provided with a valve controlled endless chain or conveyer 4, while the slate and other refuse material are conveyed and Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of v discharged from the apparatus by the flights or buckets 6 upon the endless chain or conveyer 7 The flights or buckets '3 operate in a trough 8, while the flights or buckets 6 operate in a trough 9.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, 1O designates a hopper from which the material, such as a mixture of coal, slate, etc.,

isdelivered to an endless'conveyer 11 having perforations 12 therein which conveyer is supported within the body of water within the tank 1 by means of supporting drums .13, 14, 15 and 16 'arranged in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. The feed or delivery of the material from the hopper l() is regulated by the feed control device 18. By this device the material is fed onto the horizontal portionof the 'conveyer 12 intermediate the two uppermostsupporting drums 13 a and 14. The drum is located underneath ''and a considerable distance from the drum 14 while the drum 16 is located in a plane still lower thanthat in which the drum 15 is located, and a relatively great distance to the left thereof and also a relatively great distance to the left of-the upper drum 13 -'whereby a section or portion of the conveyer 11 between the drums 13 and 16 is inclined downwardly at a considerable angle as shown.

For the purpose of causing traveling movement: of the conve ver 11 in the direcvtion of the arrow- 21 in Fig. 3 I have provided that the drum 16 may be driven. For the purpose of driving the said drum I have provided a driving wheel 25 upon one end of the shaft 26 upon which the said drum is supported. The means for driving the, said wheel 25 is not shown.

Rotation of the shaft 26 with the drum 16 thereon causes traveling movement of the conveyer 12 which in turn causes rotation of the drums 13, 14 and 15 and the shafts upon which they are supported, the said,

shafts being journaled in bearings'upon the opposite sides of the tank. a

For the purpose of causing a portion of the water within the tank 1 to flow transversely through the inclined section or portion of the conveyer 11 hetween'the drums 13 and 16, I have provided a casing 30 which is substantially rectangular in cross section.

The said casing 30 is situated within the body of water within the tank 1 and also within the space surrounded by the conveyer 11 and is supported by The said casing constitutes a channel through which the water is caused to flow, as will be hereinafter described, and one end thereof is situated adjacent and in parallel relation to the under side of the inclined portion of the conveyer 11 between the supporting drums 13 and 16. The opposite or outer end of the casing30 is 50 flared, as indicated at 31, and situated within the said flared end portion are propellers 33. These propellers are mounted upon shafts 34 having attheir outer ends-beveled gears 35 which are in engagement with beveledgears 36 upon a shaft 37 jou'rnaled in the opposite sides of the tank 1. The said shaft is adapted to be driven from the shaft 26 by means of a transmission belt 38 upon the wheels 39 and 40, the first being secured to the shaft 26 and the second being secured to the shaft 37. Rotation of the shaft 37 causes rotation of the propellers 33 and the rotation of the latter causes a streamof water to flow through-the channel or conduit formed by the casing 30.

\ posite sidesof the casing 30. pose of ad usting these control the cross bars 30';

Situated within the discharge end portion of the casing 30 are adjustable cont-r01 defrom the casing. The control devices, which are in the form of plates, are pivotally supported at their opposite ends in the op- F or the purdevices upon their pivots -I have provided the bar 4,6 which is connected to the lower or inner edges of each of the said controlling devices 45. as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The upper end portion of the said bar extends through an opening 17 in vices -15 for regulating and controlling the angle at which the water shall be discharged the top of the casing 30 which is substantially largerthan the bar 16 so that the lat ter may have more or less play therein. The

upper end of the bar 46 is connected to the lower end of an operating lever 48 pivoted intermediate its ends at 19 to the-adjacent side of the tank 1. The upper end of the lever 48 terminates in a. handle portion to facilitate the operation thereof, By turning the saidllever about its pivot the bar 16 is actuated to change the angular position of the controlling devices 15 with respect to the channel of the casing 30. In Fig. 3 the control devices are shown in full lines at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to a horizontal plane, in which position they extend transversely of the channel through the said casing and in dotted lines the said devices are shown in horizontal positions in parallel relation to the said channel. lVhen in ,the full line position shown in Fig. 3 the said cont-rolling devices cause the water, which is streaming through the channel of the casing 30, to be discharged from the said channel in a. direction normal to theadjacent inclined portion ofthe conveyer 11;.

By varyiugthe positions of the said controlling devices so as to vary the angles thereof with respect to the said conveyer the etfect of the water as it flows through the openings '19. in the said conveyer upon the coal. which is being conveyed downwardly upon the inclined portion ofthe said conveyer, is varied; \Vhcn the control devices are in the,positions as shown in full llO lines in Fig. 3 the efi ectof the water upon the material traveling downwardly upon the adjacent portion of the conveyer is at its maximum. As thefsaid devices are turned from their full line positions toward the positions indicated in dotted lines the effect upon the said material is slightly decreased so that the extent of the lifting or outward projection of the coal. which isthe lighter portion of the material. is decreased.

The coal being of less specific gravity than the slate, dirt, etc.. it passes outside of the shield or plate 50 and slids down into.

the lower end of the trough S and is carried by the flights 3 upwardly in said trough and lSO 'to each other.

discharged atthe upper end thereof into a chute or other means (not shown) which conveys the same to the desired point or destinationoutside of the apparatus.v

The slate and otherrelatively heavy material continue their downward movement upon the conveyer between the late 50 and the said conveyer and are disc iarged into the tank from which they are removed by means of the flights or buckets 6 upon the conveyer 7, which operate'in the trough 9.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, 6O designates a hopper for supplying the mixture of coal, slate and dirt or other material to the apparatus to be washed. The hopper is provided with an opening at its lower end through which the material is discharged onto-a platform 61 from which it is removed by a plunger 62 which is operated by a connecting rod 63 having connection at its outer end to a rotatable crank disk 64. The plunger 62 effects movement of the material from the platform 61 onto the downwardly inclined delivery chute 65 from which the said material passes onto the horizontal portion of the conveyer 11 which is provided with the perforations 1-2 The said conveyeris supported upon drums 68, 69 and 7 0 arranged in triangular relation with respect The said drums are supported upon shafts which are journaled at their opposite ends iiitbearings upon the opposite sides of the tank 1. The drums 68 and 69 are situated in the same horizontal plane while the drum 70 is situated in a plane a considerable distance below that in which the drums 6S and 69 are situated and at a point corresponding to the apex of an isosceles triangle, the upper horizontal portion of the belt constituting the base of said triangle.

The conveyerdl is driven by means of the drum 68 which in turn is driven by means of a driving wheel 71 (the means for driving the latter not beingshown) upon the shaft 72 upon which the drum 68 is supported. The material to be washed is carried forward from its point of delivery upon the horizontal portion of the conveyer 11 and the material of less specific gravity, as for instance coal, is separated from the heavier material, such as slate, stone'or the like, by the instrumentalities which will now bedescribed. g y

Within the triangular space inelosed by the conveyer 11 the casing 7 5 of-the shape of an inverted frustrum of a pyramid is placed, the upper open, end of which is situated in adjacent parallel relation to the under side of the horizontal portion of the said conveyer. The'lower end of said frustrum is open, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

, For the purpose of causing an upward flow of water through the said frustrum I have provided a propeller 76 which is situated adj acent to or within the opening in the lower end of the said frustrum, which propeller when rotated propels the water in a stream upwardly through the said frustruin and through the perforations in the horizontal portion of the said conveyer. The propeller 70 76 is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 77 which is journaled' in bearings 7 8 supported upon cross-bars 78. The lower; end of the said shaft is provided with a beveled gear 7 9 which is in engagement with a beveled gear 80 upon a shaft 81 which is journaled in the bearings upon opposite sides of the tank 1. One end of the said shaft 81 projects beyond one of the sides of the said I tank and is provided with a wheel 82 over 80 which a driving band 83 extends, which band also extends over a wheel 84 upon the shaft 72 so that upon the driving of the latter the shaft 81 is driven which in turn operates to actuate the propeller 76.

In order to control or regulate the angle at which the water as it issues from the top of the frustrum '75 strikes the horizontal portion of the conveyer 1 1 I have provided the regulating or controlling devices 85. These devices consist of plates which are pivoted at their opposite ends in the opposite side walls of the frustrum 75. In order to simulta' neously actuate these devices and vary their angular position witha'espect to the horizontal portion of the conveyer 11 between the drums 68 and 69, I have provided abar 86 which extends transversely of" the said controlling and regulating plates 85 and is secured to the lower edges W) thereof as indicated at 87. The outer end of the said bar 86 projects through an end wall a of the frustrum 7 5 and is connected to the lower end of an operating lever 88 which is pivoted intermediate its 165 ends at 89'to the top frame member of the adjacent side of the tank 1. By actuating the lever 88 the angular positions of the regulating and controlling devices 85 with respect to the horizontal portion of the convey- I10 er 11 may be varied to thereby vary the angle at which the streams of water issuing froin between the said controlling devices strike or impinge upon the said horizontal portio'nto thereby vary the effect of the 1 5 moving stream of water as it issues through the perforations 12 of the said horizontal portion of the conveyer upon the material being treated. The portion of the material of less specific gravity, such as the coal, will be elevated and separated from the heavier portions thereof, such as slate, etc.,and ultimately will be conveyed onto the top of the, plate 90 which is adapted to be adjusted vertically by means of adjustable rods 91, one of 135 which is-shown 4. Thecoal is discharged from the said plate 90 into the trough 8Iand is conveyed by the flights?) which move in the direction indicated by the arrows in 4 upwardly in the trough'8 from which it is discharged into a chute, a. portion of which is indicated at 92'. The impurities which may consist of slate, stone and the like are of greater specific gravity than the coal and in consequence are carried along upon the conveyer 11 and discharged underneath the plate 90.

For the purpose of returning the water, from the trough 8 back into the tank 1, I,

10 have provided a return pipe 93, the upper end of which is situated underneath the perforated upper end portions of the bottom of the trough 8- and the chute 92.

In the construction asshown in Figs. 7 to 15 9 inclusive, the material consisting of a mixture of coal. slate. etc.. or of ore, dirt, etc., is discharged from a hopper 10" on to the horizontal portion of a conveyer 11". The dischai'ge of the material is controlled by 2 the controlling device 18. The hopper and controlling device 183 are identical with .the parts designated 10 and 18 of Fig. 1.

The conveyer 11 is supported upon drums 13", 14, 15 and 16 corresponding to the i 35 drums 13 to 16 inclusive shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. I

Situated within the space surrounded by the conveyer 11 is a casing similar to the casing 30 shown in "Fig. 1 and occupy- 30 ing the same position with respect to the conveyer 11" and performing the same function as the said casing 30. The said casing 30 is supported by the cross-bars 30 corresponding to the cross-bars 30' in Fig. 1. Situated in the forward or dischargev end of the channel of the casing 30 are control devices 45* which are adapted to be adjusted for regulating and controlling the direction of deliveryof a stream of water which may 40 be caused to flow through the channel of the casing 30*. For the purpose of adjusting the said devices I have provideda bar 16 which is connected to the lower edges of said devices and which, extends upwardlythrough the top side of the casing30. The

upper end of the said bar is connected to the lower end of an operating lever 4:8 pivoted at 49* to a side of the tank 1. The outer or right-hand end of" the casing 30 50 is flared as is clearly indicated in Figs. 7

and 9 of the drawings.

- For the purpose of causing the water to flow as a stream through the channel of the casing 30, I have provided propellers 95 which are mounted upon the inner ends of shafts 96 supported adjacent their inner ends in bearings 97' upon a cross bar 98. The outer ends of the said shafts are journaled in bearings upon the front end of the tank 1. For the purpose of further agitating the water within the tank and causing the same to flow toward the right underneath the casing 30; I have provided the additional pro pellers 100 which are mounted upon the inner ends of shafts 101, the inner end per tions of which-are journaled in bearings 102 upon a cross bar 103. The outer ends of these shafts are mounted in bearings upon "thefrontiend of the tank 1. I

As an additional agitating means, I have provided a propeller 105 situated ad'acent the bottom of the tank 1 and sup orted upon the inner end of a shaft 106 journaled' in bearings 107 which are supported uponeach other and increase in length from the" front toward the rear and provide upwardly extending passages to icause an upward deflection and flow of the water toward the bottom. slightly inclined section of the conveyer 11 between the drums 13" and 16*.

The agitation of the water by means of- I the propeller-agitators and is par ticularly desirable in case of the addition of sand or other material to the Water as isnow some times done in order to increase the specific gravity of the separating liquid,-

the sand mixin with the water and, acting therewith to efi ect' separation of the lighter material from themixture.

The several shafts 96, 101 and 106 are provided with wheels or pulleys 110 upon theirouter ends by means of which they may be driven. The means for driving these wheels is not shown. 7 c

The presence of a plate 111 extending cross-Wise of the tank, the lower edge of which terminates in contact with or adj acent the front edge of the first of the bars 109, forms a more or less restricted passageway for conducting the water downwardly toward the propeller 105'. The forward movernent of the water underneath the conveyor 11 is limited b the presence of the crosswise extending reast or bafile plate 112.

In the use of the apparatus the mixture of coal and slate or other material is delivered onto the upper horizontal portion of the conveyer 11 and is transported thereby toward the delivery end of the apparatus.

As it travels downwardly'upon the inclined portion of the conveyer between the drums 13 and 16 it is subjected to the influence of the stream or streams of water which issue from the channel of the casing 30* and the lighter material, for instance coal, is lifted or moved awa from the conveyer to such an extent that it passes outside of the breast plate 50? corresponding to the similar i washing fluid.

- distributor by means of which it is conducted to any point desired. The slate, stone, dirt, et c., being heavier than the coal, continue downwardly upon the inclined portion of the conveyer between the latter and the breast plate 50 and are discharged onto the lower end of the conveyer comprising the flights 6 which travel in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7 and are discharged from the apparatus and distrib-- uted or conveyed to any oint desired.

It will be apparent rom the drawings that in the several forms of construction shown the top level of the water within/the ,tank 1 occupies a plane a sufficient distance above the column of the mixture of coal or ore and impurities to completely cover the same so that the flowing stream of water [which strikes the said column effects separation of the coal or ore fromthe impurities which may be mixed and intermingles therewith within the body of the water in the tank at the point and within the region where the said stream strikes the said column. The coal' or ore being lighter than the impurities is buoyed upwardly within the water in the tank while the impurities which are heavier or of greater specific.

vit than the coal or ore are not so -buoye or lifted upwardly and consequently se aration takes place.

n the several specific forms of construction as illustrated in the drawin s the water spective casings 30, 30 and 7 5 and is divided into a plurality of widebut relatively thin streams which strike the adjacent portions of the conveyers. The streams are projected or are caused to flow through the perforations in the said conveyers and are subdivided thereby into a plurality of relatively small streams which contact with the moving column of the mixture of coal and impurities or ore and impurities. At such time the mixture constituting the said column is movin .forward so that and in conse uence of w ich the particles thereof are su jected to a succession of impacts; that is, they are subjected successively to the said relatively small streams of water or other In each of the forms of construction as illustrated the coal or ore of less specific gravity is lifted or floated from the said om the re- 7 ity of wide and relatively thin streams as described yet the number of these streams mag be varied.

avmg thus described my invention,

' what I claim and desire to secure by Letters -Patent is:

1. In a coal and ore washing apparatus, the combination of traveling means situated within a body of waterfor conveying coal or ore through the said body of water the said co'al or ore being adapted to be -deposited upon said means, means also situated within the said body of water for creating a continuously flowing stream of water and causing the same to flow through the said coal or ore as it is carried along by the.

said means, and means for varying the angle at which the said stream strikes the said coal or ore.- 4 I 2. In a coal and ore washing apparatus, the combination of an endless band conveyer, means for supporting said conveyer within a body of water, means for depositing coal or ore thereon to'be washed, means for causing traveling movement of said conveyer to convey coal or ore to be washed through the said bodyof water, and means situated within the space encircled by the said conveyer for creating and causing a stream of water to flow through a portion of the said conveyer and through any coal or ore which may be supported upon said conveyer.

3. In coal and ore washing apparatus, the combination of a traveling endless conveyer for conveying coal or ore through. a body of water, thesaid conveyer having openings extending therethrough, means for supporting the said conveyer, a casing within the said body of water in the space encircled by J means situated adjacent the inner end of said asing for regulating the direction of discharge of, the water from the said casing through successive openings in the said conveyer as the same travels past the adjacent end-of said casing;

4. In apparatus of thecharacter described, the combination of a tank adapted to contain water, an endless, conveyer situated within the said tank for conveying the ma.- terial to be washed through the water therein, the said conveyer having'openings therethrough, means for supplying material to be washed to the said conveyer, means for causing traveling movement of said conveyer, a casing forming a conduit situated within the said tank in the space encircled by the said conveyer, the said casing constituting a conduit and oneiend thereof terminating adjacent and in parallel rel tion to a portion of the said conveyer, means for causing a continuously flowing stream of water to pass through the conduit formed by said casing, and adjustable means situated within the said casing adjacent the under side of said conveyer'for varying the angle at' which the water as it issues from the said conduitis discharged against the said conveyer.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank adapted to hold water, continuously moving means situated,

in the upper portion of the tank for con-. veying a column of'the material to be washed through the water in the said tank, means within the said tankand adjacent the said conveying means for creating and driving acontinuously flowing stream of water through the said means to efiect washing and separation of the said material. and means situated in the lower portion of the tank for effecting the formation of a plurality of streams andjor directing'the same upwardly toward the said conveying means. substantially as described. 1

6. In apparatus of the character described. the combination of a tank adapted to hold water. continuously moving means within the upper portion of the said tank for conveying the material to be washed through the said water, means for creating and driving a continuously flowing. stream of; water through successive portions of said means and through successive portions of the matank, and means for creating and directing 4 a continuously flowing stream of water againstthe said deflector plates which deflect and direct the same toward the said conveying means, substantially as described.

In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a traveling conveyer for conveying material to be washed through a body \of water, means for supporting said conveyer within the said body of water, a

casing open at both ends to form a channel within said body of water, one end of said casing'terminating adjacent the under side of a portion of said conveyer and the opposite end of sald casing being flared, propelling means located within said flared end for driving a stream of water through the said channel. and adjustable plates pivotally supported within the end of said casing adjacent the said conveyer, and manually o erable means for adjusting the said plates to vary? the angle of discharge of the water from the said channel. a In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention. I have hereunto signed my name this 21st day of A ril. A. D.. 1922.

' GEOR E W. WILMOT. 

